DGP says charge of phone tapping is baseless

Chennai, Jun 13 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Director General of Police K P Jain today described as ''baseless'' and ''far from truth'', PMK founder S Ramadoss' charge that his and important political leaders telephones were being tapped.

Stoutly denying the charges that telephones were being tapped, Mr Jain, in a statement here, also refuted the PMK leader's claim that the Intelligence wing of the state police had procured phone tapping equipment from a D3D, a private firm.

''As per the existing rules, it is practically impossible to tap phones with the help of private firms'', he added.

Stating that it had already been made clear that telephones of political parties were not tapped, Mr Jain said police were maintaining a vigial on those working against the security and sovereignty of the nation and on those having suspected links with terrorist or extremists outfits as per the guideilines laid down by the Centre and state governments.

''There was no necessity to tap the telephones of political leaders and important functionaries. Those leaders who were conducting themselves as per law need not have any fear on this issue'', he clarified.

Mr Jain also recalled the Justice Shanmugham Commission probing the telephone tapping issue involving DVAC and said necessary action would be taken on the basis of his report.

Meanwhile, ADGP Intelligence Wing-II Shankar Jiwal denied Dr Ramadoss' charge that his wife was one of the Directors of the D3D firm and that phones were tapped with her asssitance.

''Such remarks were malicious in nature and were far from truth'', he said and warned legal action against the media and those spreading such news.

UNI GV SB KP1611